The State Services Commissioner is confident an independent review of all government agencies will increase the effectiveness of the public service.
Iain Rennie released the reviews of four agencies on Wednesday, which revealed each could make improvements to the way they are run.
The Performance Improvement Framework is a process adapted from the British Public Service. Independent reviewers go into government agencies with the aim of identifying areas where they can improve.
Department of Conservation chief executive Al Morrison says being reviewed was a useful experience.
Mr Morrison says his department, for instance, had believed it was dealing well with Treaty of Waitangi settlements, but the review disagreed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade was also reviewed and criticised for being too hierarchical - a criticism that chief executive John Allen accepts.
Mr Rennie says the public can remain confident about the quality of the public service, but the reviews will be used to improve performance.
The review also included Te Puni Kokiri and Land Information New Zealand.
